Runs in the game of basketball determine the momentum swings during the course of a contest.

On Saturday, Palmerton put together multiple momentum-changing runs in its District 11 3A semifinal matchup with Palisades, with the result being a 45-36 win over the Pirates and a championship game berth.

Creating turnovers was key to Palmerton’s first run in the first half. The Blue Bombers forced 14 total miscues, including eight in the second quarter, which helped them get out to a commanding 29-13 lead at the intermission.

Leading by just three early in the second quarter, Palmerton went on a 14-1 run to finish the frame.

The run was sparked by the play of both Bethie Morgan and Regan Nemeth, who combined for 20 points in the first half. Morgan had six and Nemeth added four during the second-quarter surge.

“We knew coming in that we could pressure them,” said Palmerton head coach Dan Beck. “So, putting the pressure on them early was our plan, and the girls did a great job executing that and forcing turnovers.

“Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t, but the ball was going in the hoop a lot for us in that second quarter. It was definitely a good way to the end the half.”

Palmerton stretched its lead to 19 at one point in the third quarter, but Palisades continued to fight and made a run of its own to cut the lead to 11 heading into the fourth. An 8-0 run at the end of the third period gave the Pirates life.

Palisades then continued to push in the final quarter, cutting the lead to as little as seven with just over a minute remaining. Trailing by 10 around the two-minute mark, a three from Libby Stiansen made the contest interesting, but two clutch free throws by Nemeth put the Bombers up nine and the Pirates were held scoreless the rest of the way.

“I was proud of our defensive effort today. That’s what definitely helped us come away with the win,” said Beck. “A lot of girls stepped up today. They did a great job on Brianna (Moore) and Bethie (Morgan). Raegan (Nemeth) played well and (Megan) Matsko did some good things out there as well.

“But the key for us was defensively. To hold (Trinity) Williams (the league’s Player of the Year) to around 15 points was the goal, and we were able to do that.”

LEADERS ... Nemeth led the Bombers with 15 points and Morgan added 13. Williams scored 15 for the Pirates and Olivia Marton chipped in with 11.

NEXT UP ... Palmerton will now face off with No. 1 seed Notre Dame Green Pond on Tuesday at noon at the PPL Center in Allentown in the District 11 3A championship game. The Bombers recently defeated the Crusaders in the semifinals of the Colonial League playoffs.

TURNOVER TOWN ... The Blue Bombers forced an impressive 20 turnovers, and did a relatively good job of taking care of the basketball, turning the ball over 12 times.

PALMERTON

Frantz 1-0-0-2, Matsko 2-0-0-4, Balliet 1-1-2-3, Nemeth 5-4-6-15, Morgan 6-1-1-13, Moore 2-0-7-5, Gursky 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 17-9-22-45.

PALISADES

Amato 0-0-0-0, Williams 4-7-8-15, A. Stiansen 1-0-1-3, L. Stiansen 2-0-3-6, Martin 4-1-2-11, Meadows 0-1-2-1. TOTALS: 11-9-17-36.

Palisades 6 7 11 12 - 36

Palmerton 15 14 6 10 - 45

Three-pointers: Palisades - L. Stianson 2, Martin 2, A. Stianson 1; Palmerton - Nemeth 1, Moore 1.